Thu, Jun 10, 2010
Diesel-Electric Hybrid Propulsion System Claims Lower Noise,
Improved Safety, Half The Emissions
EADS says it plans to present an
innovative hybrid helicopter concept at ILA Berlin Airshow 2010.
EADS Innovation Works, the corporate research and technology
network of EADS, develops diesel-electric hybrid concepts as part
of the Group’s research to make helicopters more
environmentally friendly. EADS says the highly efficient electrical
motors driving the rotors, combined with diesel engines, reduce
fuel consumption and emissions by up to 50 percent.
The EADS Innovation Works Eco2Avia research platform will open
up new possibilities for cleaner, safer and more quiet helicopter
and aviation operations”, says Dr. Jean Botti, Chief
Technical Officer (CTO) of EADS. Take-offs and landings are
possible on electrical power alone, resulting in lower noise
levels and improved flight safety.
The main components of this patented hybrid system are multiple
dieselelectric motor-generator units, a pair of high-performance
batteries and a power electronics unit controlling the energy flows
for best efficiency. The OPOC (Opposed Piston, Opposed Cylinder)
diesel engines offer a fuel economy improvement of up to 30 percent
compared to today’s helicopter turbine engines. The OPOC
engine’s power output shafts are fitted with advanced,
weight-optimised generators delivering electrical current to the
power electronics unit. This unit manages the distribution of the
electricity to the electrical motors driving the main rotor and the
tail rotor, to and from the batteries as well as to the other user
systems on the helicopter.
The four independent energy sources
of this kind of propulsion system ensure very high levels of flight
safety and efficiency. Several different kinds of combustion
engines could be integrated into such a hybrid system. The hybrid
system architecture allows the main rotor and its electrical drive
to be tilted forward during cruise flight. This enables the
helicopter’s fuselage to remain at its optimum alignment with
the airstream, minimizing aerodynamic drag and thereby reducing the
power demand and the fuel consumption.
Since the tail rotor has no mechanical linkage to the main rotor
and its power source, it can be turned off at higher speeds. During
these flight phases, stability and control as well as balancing of
the rotor torque are provided by the aerodynamic properties of the
helicopter’s tail fin and rudder.
The model of a concept helicopter, showcased at ILA, exemplifies
EADS Innovation Works’ research towards eco-efficient
propulsion system solutions for future helicopters. This is one of
the projects that are grouped under the name of eCO2avia by EADS
Innovation Works.
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